Recommended Procedures for Cleaning Glassware

Cleaning Glassware. All glassware to be used in experiments must be CLEANED before and after use. It is each student's responsibility to properly clean all glassware that s/he uses. The following cleaning procedures are recommended by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

1. Glassware that has been used to transfer or contain substances dissolved in water may be cleaned as follows:
   • Rinse thoroughly with tap water
   • Remove excess water, then place in the drying oven
2. Glassware that has been used to transfer or contain organic solvents or solutions may be cleaned as follows:
   • If necessary, rinse with acetone to remove water-insoluble material
   • Rinse thoroughly with tap water
   • Remove excess water, then place in the drying oven
3. Extremely dirty or contaminated glassware may be cleaned as follows:
   • Place in a bath of Alconox solution overnight, making sure all dirty surfaces are contacted by the solution.
   • Rinse thoroughly with tap water
   • Remove excess water, then place in the drying oven
4. Glassware that does not respond to Alconox solution may be cleaned as follows:
   • Rinse the glassware with tap water
   • Pour a small volume of concentrated nitric acid into the glass vessel, or submerge the item in concentrated nitric acid; Swirl to clean. BE CAREFUL!
   • Dilute the used nitric acid by slowly pouring it into an equal volume of water. Flush down the drain.
   • Rinse the glassware thoroughly with tap water
   • Remove excess water, then place in the drying oven